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Fantastic Facts about Guar Gum Prebiotics

The Fantastic Facts about Guar Gum Prebiotic.

It’s only recently that the amazing benefits of Guar Gum, particularly when it’s partially hydrolyzed and used therapeutically as a prebiotic, have come to our attention. Not only are people talking about it and starting to use it, but the clinical research that has been accumulating over many years now, has been noticed and cited by physicians, scientists, dietitians and practitioners involved in the holistic health community. Here are the fantastic facts about Guar Gum Prebiotics.

The Human Microbiome Project has really shifted gears for us. Now we know that an adult’s microbiome is established in the first 2 years of their life. If that’s the case then it stands to reason that the optimal way to keep the gut healthy is to feed this microbiome. And that’s exactly what Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum does, and in a most efficient way.

To find out the facts, please read on……

What is Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum?

Guar Gum comes from the seeds of the guar plant, an Indian tree. The seeds are harvested, dried, and then screen-processed into a fine powder. This soluble dietary fiber is subjected to hydrolyzation. Hydrolyzation? It’s a controlled natural enzymatic process that breaks the guar gum down into smaller units. This decreases the viscosity dramatically and so the particles dissolve quickly and easily and yet still keep the original fiber content. It’s an extremely versatile powder. It’s easily taken in water, with no after taste, and no odor.

Why is Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum considered a Prebiotic?

Prebiotics are the so-called ‘fertilizers’ for our good bacteria. The soluble fiber goes directly down to the large intestine without being affected by the stomach acid. The body breaks down these complex carbohydrates into a gelatin-like, sticky byproduct. They ferment and this results in the production of gases and acids in the lower gut. This is what promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine. These good bacteria have wide spread benefit to many essential bodily functions as well as to overall health. Did you know that 70% of our serotonin, which influences our mood, resides in our gut?

Why is Guar Gum different from other Prebiotics?

Guar Gum Prebiotic fiber is unique when you compare it to other non galactomannan based fibers, like Inulin and FOS i.e. fructooliogosaccarides. This is why. Generally speaking, prebiotic fiber produces “short chain fatty acids” (SCFA) in the gut through the fermentation process. But it’s actually the rate of the production of SCFA’s that is very significant. If fermentation occurs quickly, which is the case with Inulin and FOS, it causes is an excess of uncomfortable bloating and flatulence. Fortunately, the fermentation process of partially hydrolyzed guar gum is very slow. This means that it leads to in a higher total amount of SCFA’s being produced over a longer period of time. That’s the reason there is significantly less gas, bloating and discomfort.

How does the production of Short Chain Fatty Acids help Digestion?

Basically there are three main types of Short Chain Fatty Acids – SCFAs. They are called Acetates, Propionates, and Butyrates. The acetates and the propionates are beneficial but they tend to transfer through the walls of the intestine and get metabolized in muscle or liver. Its only the Butyrates that remain in the digestive system and act as a food and energy source for our beneficial microflora.

It is true that Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum can help both constipation and diarrhea?

Yes, Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum has a truly regulating effect on the digestive system and helps with both constipation and diarrhea. It can bind excess water, add more bulk to the stool and also return
stool content to a normal healthy state. Most importantly, (and why it is considered a prebiotic) it helps to improve the status of the microflora in the digestive system.

Is the partially hydrolyzed Guar Gum considered a natural product?

Yes, it most certainly is a natural product. It’s minimally processed to obtain a finished product with the desired properties. It begins with a natural material, which is grown in fields that are not treated with any chemicals. Then, no preservatives or additives are used during manufacturing. It’s is also certified Kosher, Halal, and it’s vegetarian and Non-GMO. All raw materials are kept free from GMO and their derivatives throughout the production process. And, yes. our Partially hydrolyzed Guar Gum qualifies as an Organic material.

Is there research to support the benefits of Guar Gum?

We know is helps improve beneficial probiotics within the intestinal tract including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus and it helps with the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum has been shown to help a wide variety of conditions, not only related to digestion. It’s been given as oral rehydration solution in the treatment of severe cholera in adults, Digestion (2008), to improve in glucose intolerance as well as in lipid metabolism and immune function.